Obituary for Nancy Jane Christensen

Nancy Jane (Choate) Christensen died suddenly on September 27, 2018 at Samaritan Albany
General Hospital. She was a very active and healthy 78 year old but had fallen, broken her hip
and was sick with a severe infection. She passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside.

Nancy was born July 5, 1940 in La Grande Oregon and was raised in this small community by
her parents Virgil and Louise Choate. She loved the beauty of Eastern Oregon. In her youth
Nancy enjoyed ballet dancing, hiking, home economics and spending time with family. She had
many fond memories of times with her cousins.

Nancy graduated Cum Laude from Eastern Oregon College in 1962 with a B.S. in Elementary
Education. She worked shortly as a teacher in Portland and found this wasn’t her passion. She
worked as a Case worker and 4H Education Project Aid for Marion County for many years and
then went to school for her MA in School Psychology in the 80’s. After completing her
coursework she worked with children as a Youth Services Coordinator and Respite Caregiver.
She worked with children that had severe mental and physical illnesses with grace and love.

Nancy married Frank D. Christensen in June 1964 and they had 2 children, Louisa and Sara. They
lived in Salem, Oregon for 12 years and then moved to Eureka, CA. Later Nancy and Frank
divorced and Nancy raised her girls as a single mom. In the late 1990’s Nancy moved to
Lebanon, Oregon to be close to her daughters and grandchildren who had relocated there.

Nancy had been very active in her later years. She was her grandchildren’s biggest fan and
attended many dance performances, plays, rock concerts, choir and band performances, robotic
competitions and more. She loved gardening, taking care of her 4 cats, hiking, genealogy and
traveling. Nancy spent many hours researching and putting together family histories for
everyone she knew.One of the highlights of her life was a trip to Egypt. She also loved traveling
to Lake Louise, Canada; Mt. Shasta, CA; Sedona, AZ and more. Nancy was actively involved in
Oregon Rural Progressives and had special passion for children and the environment. Nancy
was very spiritual and enjoyed meditating, personal growth workshops and activities. She has a
special connection with and love of angels.

Up to the day Nancy left this earth she was caring for others. She was still working as a
caregiver, working on several genealogy projects, researching environmental issues, going to
protests for immigrant children’s rights and saving the neighborhood cats. Nancy rarely asked
for help or complained. She was a spunky, independent woman who over all valued giving and
kindness. She loved angels and she was one. The earth has lost a kind and gentle soul.

Nancy was survived by her brother Virgil Choate of The Dalles, her daughters Louisa Shelby of
Albany and Sara Christensen-Lee of Corvallis and her grandchildren Ivy Farrell, Conner Farrell,
Zachary Lee and Sebastian Lee.

Please join us for her Celebration of Life, October 27th at 2pm - 4pm in the Lebanon Library
Community Room. Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements. www.hustonjost.com

Memorial gifts can be made in her honor on her Sierra Club memorial page https://www.teamsierra.org/memorial/angelnancy or to the Feral Cat
Coalition of Oregon.